I DON'T want to use fabric...
I want to add more detail to the tail (ridges & bumps) and I want it to look smooth and not have any folds that using fabric might make. I kinda want it to be like a realistic lizard tail.

I've seen something like this made before on the tvshow Face Off, this one girl used something latex? to make it, and I thought it was perfect..so it's not impossible I just don't remember what she used and how she did it. So I was wondering what out there could I use to make the tail I want..and how to use it..

There are several ways this can be done depending on your time and budget. I'm going to give you one, and you can tell me what you think.

The easiest way is to purchase foam (dense enough to hold it's shape under weight), and then carve it into the shape you want using scissors and a knife. Then, cover the foam in nylons to protect it from tearing. You can then start covering the tail in liquid latex until you've built up a "skin" thick enough to give it structural support.

After that, it's a matter of detailing it with bumps and such (using balled up bits of latex you cover with more latex), and then painting it.

If you would like to have the tail keep a certain shape, you can use a metal clothes hanger bent into the shape you want, then glue the foam to it prior to putting on the latex.

This method while the cheapest, can be a tad difficult in terms of making it look consistent. You will undoubtably have various thicknesses in your latex, you can't get a lot of detail (pores, wrinkles, etc), and the foam can be a bit difficult to cut smoothly (and can be hard to find).

The advantages to this technique is that because you're using foam and latex, you can get a fairly light tail, that has the appearance of skin, that is still somewhat flexible.

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As I mentioned there are various ways to pull this off, but anything beyond this will require some serious time and money. Let me know what you think of this idea. If you want to try something a little more realistic, I can give you some other ideas.

I love Face Off, it is a real inspiration. Bear in mind though, every single contestant on that show has been to school to learn those techniques, and some of them have been actively using them in a professional manner for years. It's not something you learn in an afternoon.

Fabric can be painted, and has the advantage of retaining it's flexibility (providing the paints used are appropriate) after painting which means the chance of breaking it is greatly reduced. Fabric can be painted with latex as well

Coat hangers are not unreasonable, but I prefer to get 16 gauge wire on a roll and use it. Then you have the length needed to create a base for the tail (a circle that sits flat on your butt so the tail stands out) as well as the full length of the tail.

I'm actually prepared to dedicate quite a bit of time (imo) for this lol
The con I want to use it for is on September 2013. P:

@crazylegsmurphy: This idea sounds good, though I'm worried about not finding the right foam and being able to make the ridges right. Also when you say it'll be difficult to make it look consistent, does that mean it won't look nice and smooth?
I feel like the foam also will make it into a stiff shape?

I want it to be dragging on the floor just a bit, if I can pick it up and hold it in my hand easily that would be great too. I want it to be as flexible and smooth as possible. It not having and pores is fine, but i don't want any wrinkles or folds in it at all.

I think the closest thing I can sort of give an example of, is...like the cord of a computer mouse. Except with ridges at the top an arrow tip and bigger. orz
I feel like I'm starting to want for something impossble... (@ A@; )

no you don't. if it touches the floor while you are standing, it will get stepped on, which could result in a bare butt. Either wire it so it doesn't hit the floor, or make it soft & shorter.

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if I can pick it up and hold it in my hand easily that would be great too. I want it to be as flexible and smooth as possible. It not having and pores is fine, but i don't want any wrinkles or folds in it at all.... I feel like I'm starting to want for something impossble...

Um, yeah. The only way to have something flexible & completely smooth is to have the interior flexing material separate from the outer skin, and then only flexed minimally. Even your own skin wrinkles when flexed. Combining this want with the above makes for extremely difficult crafting.

Unfortunately I do want it touching the floor and dragging a bit. If it's not...it just won't look right. DX
I don't want it dragging alllll the way behind me, but just a bit.

Then be prepared to carry it in hand at all times you are moving, if you walk with something very small like a tail dragging behind you, it will get stepped on. Dresses with big trains get stepped on, and those are big enough that people should see them, but they don't.

Then be prepared to carry it in hand at all times you are moving, if you walk with something very small like a tail dragging behind you, it will get stepped on. Dresses with big trains get stepped on, and those are big enough that people should see them, but they don't.

Yea, I know. That's why I said, if I could pick it up and hold it in my hands easily, then that would be great. ..Though I get stepped on anyway, even without stuff like that lol...OTL
I never really expected it to NOT be stepped on = x=;